Supporting device for suspending small articles



March 17, 1964 s. A. FLEMINGER 3,124,856

SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR SUSPENDING SMALL ARTICLES Filed June 29, 1962 INVENTOR. Suzanne A. F Ieminger ATTORNEYS United States Patent O M Filed June 29, 1962, Ser. No. 206,473 4 Claims. (Cl. 2473) This invention relates to detachable supports for holding articles in a suspended position and. it relates particularly to. an improved detachable device for securing articles such as ornaments, lights and the like to Christmas trees and other supports.

Various types of hooks and clipshave been employed heretofore for securing ornaments, lights-and other articles to Christmas trees or other supports. Some of these devices are so easily detachable that they release the articles when jarred, and others, while securing the article against detaching by jarring, have been difficult to attach to the tree, or the article. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved device for attaching ornaments and other articles to Christmas trees and the like.

It is another object of the invention to provide a readily detachable device for securing small articles in suspended positions from a support such as a Christmas tree branch.

It is another object of this invention to provide a simple, rugged and easily detachable device for securely holding ornaments and the like on- Christmas trees.

Briefly, in carrying out the objects of this invention in one embodiment thereof, a ring is formed of light, tough, flexible plastic material and is provided with an open side and a reduced portion opposite the opening which acts as a hinge and affords swinging movement of the two halves of the ring. One end of the ring adjacent the opening is provided with a groove and the other end with a locking lug which may be engaged to complete the ring, but the lug is readily disengaged upon circumferen tial movement in a direction away from the groove. On one portion of the ring there is provided two inwardly extending pins or teeth which are spaced from one another and extend substantially normal to the diameter of the ring. These teeth provide spaced members for holding the ring in position on a tree branch or other support of a size to pass between them and minimize the likelihood of rotation or displacement of the ring.

The features of novelty which characterize this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. The invention itself, however, bothas to its organization and manner of operation will be best understood upon reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Christmas tree ornament suspended froma tree on a device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing an electric light suspended by a device of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the attaching device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a sideelevation View, partially cut away, of the device of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of a modified device according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a Christmas tree ornament 10, which may be of the blownglass type or any other type, having an attaching ring 11 by which it is suspended from a branch or twig 12 of a Christmas tree by means of an attaching device shown in general by number 13, in the form of a ring surrounding the twig 12 and passing through the loop 11.

FIG. 2 illustrates a Christmas tree light 14 having a 3,124,856 Patented Mar. 17., 1964 conventional socket 15 connected to electric leads 16 which are attached to a tree branch 17 by a device 13 of the same construction as that shown in FIG. 1.

The rings 13 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are of the same construction and comprise a split ring constructed of a tough, light plastic material, such as polyethylene, various vinyls, polypropylene, etc. Such plastics must be flexible enough to permit substantial ilexure of the material in opening without rupture of the material. The ring. may be spread open to be placed about the branch of the tree and to have-the attaching ring 11 of an ornament, such as It or the wires, such as 16, pass through the ring with the branch. The device 13 is provided with two preferably integral prongs or pins 18 which are spaced apart and act as jaws gripping the tree branch-passing through the ring, thereby more efiectively positioning and holding the ring on the branch.

The details of construction of the ring 13 are shownin FIGS. 3 and 4. This ring, as illustrated, is preferably molded or otherwise formed of two portions 21 and 22 hinged together at 23 by a reduced section of the plastic material. The portions 21 and 22. gradually decrease in radial thickness at the interlock down to the reduced section 23 to provide an easily spread apart device. The material is selected to be tough and pliable so that the ring may be opened and closed a great many times without likelihood of breaking or separating. The ends of the two halves 21 and 22 opposite the hinge 23 are provided with a groove 24 and a locking lug 25, respectively, which lock clue to the mouth of the groove having an opening less than the radial width of the lug. Opening of the ring is accomplished when the two halves are pulled circumferentially away from one another. The ring may be readily closed, however, by movement of the ends together so that the lug snaps into the groove. The two prongs 18 are mounted or otherwise formed integrally with one half the ring, as illustrated, and preferably facing the other half for positively positioning the ring and its opening with respect to the tree branch or other support. As shown in FIG. 4, the prongs 18 are formed with a flat bottom 19 with their bases extending axially over about two-thirds the width of the ring.

The closing lug 25 forces the mouth out the groove '24 wider open than in its normal position when the lug is pushed into the groove. It is thus apparent that substantial circumferential movement is required to close or open the rings.

When the ring 13 is positioned on a branch, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, with the prongs .18 in position on the sides of the branch, rotation of the ring is generally prevented, and when closed the ring supports the article securely in position. Only by twisting the halves of the ring to slide the .lug out of the groove or by pulling will open the ring. Jarring of the tree or ornaments will not accidentally open the rings.

As pointed out above, plastics may be used to make the rings, and other various materials may, also, be used for constructing the rings. Plastic materials may be provided in a Wide variety of colors so that the color may be selected either for contrast or for substantial matching of the background. The rings may thus be made in a dark green color, for example, which provides substantial concealment when they are used for supporting Christmas tree ornaments and the like. The secure attaching function of the rings, which prevents their being jarred loose, is particularly desirable -for holding glass ornaments and the like, which are readily broken should they be jarred from their support. At the same time When it is desired to remove the lights and ornaments from the tree, the rings may be readily detached by a simple twisting movement.

In the modified form of FIG. 5, a split ring, shown in general by numeral 30, is made similarly to the construction of ring 13 with portions 31 and 32 being tapered from relatively thick ends 33 and 34, respectively, to joined, thinner portion 35. These portions are preferably one piece, resilient plastic material. End 34 includes a lug 36 of cylindrical shape which is mounted on a neck portion 37. The end 33 includes a groove 39 with a smaller mouth 40. The lug 36 is arranged to fit in the groove while neck fits in the mouth without distortion so as to hold the lug in the groove. To prevent lateral or axial displacement, a pair of tabs 42 are extended to the end 33 covering the side opening of the groove. The tabs 42 prevent the lug from sliding along the groove without hindering the opening or closing of the ring. Some plastic materials are quite slippery on themselves. This arrangement prevents accidental opening of the ring. Also, the tabs are useful for hanging outside decorations as accidental opening due to wind, etc., is prevented.

While the invention has been described in a specific configuration and application, various modifications and other applications will occur to those skilled in the art and therefore it is not desired that the invention be limited to the details of construction illustrated and described, and it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A detachable support for Christmas tree ornaments and the like comprising a one-piece flexible plastic ring open at one point and having an area of reduced material generally opposite the opening in the ring thereby providing a weakened hinge portion on the ring whereby the ends of the ring may be moved toward and away from each other to aiford placing of the ring about a tree branch or the like, releasable latch means for said ring including integral locking lug means formed on and extending circumferentially from one end of said ring and a mating restricted opening recess formed in the other end of said ring cooperatively forming snap latch means closable by circumferential movement of said ring ends, and an integral pair of adjacent and spaced apart pins formed on and depend-ing from the inner surface of said ring, said pins extending from one side thereof for engaging an object encircled by the ring leaving the other side of said ring substantially smooth for receiving and supporting another object, and said pins extending inwardly from the ring and having a length on the order of about the radius of the ring.

2. A detachable support for Christmas tree ornaments and the like comprising a one-piece flexible plastic ring open at one point and having an area of reduced material generally opposite the opening in the ring thereby providing a weakened hinge portion on the ring whereby the ends of the ring may be moved toward and away from each other to afford placing of the ring about a tree branch or the like, a latch means including an integral generally cylindrical locking lug and attached neck formed on and extending circumferentially from one end of said ring and a restricted opening mating recess in the other end thereof cooperatively forming snap latch means for securing the ring closed, and an integral pair of adjacent and spaced apart prongs formed on and depending from the inner surface of said ring and extending from one side thereof leaving the other side of said ring substantially smooth for receiving and supporting another object, and said prongs extending inwardly from the ring and having a length on the order of about the radius of the ring.

3. A detachable support for Christmas tree ornaments and the like comprising a one-piece flexible plastic ring open at one point and having an area of reduced material generally opposite the opening in the ring thereby providing a weakened hinge portion on the ring whereby the ends of the ring may be moved toward and away from each other to afford placing of the ring about a tree branch or the like, latch means including an integral generally cylindrical locking lug and attached neck formed on and extending circumferentially from one end of said ring and a restricted mating recess formed in the other end thereof cooperatively forming latch means for securing the ring closed, said cylindrical lug being smaller than the width of said ring and the ends of said recess being closed to prevent lateral movement of said cylindrical lug therein, and an integral pair of adjacent and spaced apart pins formed on and depending from the inner surface of said ring and extending from one side thereof for engaging an object encircled by said ring and leaving the other side of said ring substantially smooth for receiving and supporting another object, and said pins extending inwardly from the ring and having a length on the order of about the radius of the ring.

4. A detachable support for Christmas tree ornaments and the like comprising a one-piece flexible plastic ring open at one point and having an area of reduced material generally opposite the opening in the ring thereby providing a weakened hinge portion on the ring whereby the ends of the ring may be moved toward and away from each other to afford placing of the ring about a tree branch or the like, releasable latch means for said ring including integral locking lug means formed on and extending circumferentially from one end of said ring and a mating restricted recess formed in the other end thereof cooperatively forming latch means closable by circumferential movement of said ring ends, and an integral pair of adjacent and spaced apart pins formed on and depending from the inner surface of said ring and extending from one side of said ring between said latch means and said weakened portion for engaging an object encircled by the ring leaving the other side of said ring substantially smooth for receiving and supporting another object, and said pins extending inwardly from the ring and having a length on the order of about the radius of the ring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 235,344 Dawn Dec. 14, 1880 768,658 Dongille Aug. 30, 1904 1,338,612 Buschardt Apr. 27, 1920 2,220,568 Fishel Nov. 5, 1940 2,445,071 Kovacs et al. July 13, 1948 2,639,530 Merrill May 26, 1953 2,709,094 Polanski May 24, 1955 2,718,894 Gresham et al Sept. 27, 1955 2,719,374 Paione Oct. 4, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 546,770 Italy Aug. 1, 1956 

1. A DETACHABLE SUPPORT FOR CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A ONE-PIECE FLEXIBLE PLASTIC RING OPEN AT ONE POINT AND HAVING AN AREA OF REDUCED MATERIAL GENERALLY OPPOSITE THE OPENING IN THE RING THEREBY PROVIDING A WEAKENED HINGE PORTIN ON THE RING WHEREBY THE ENDS OF THE RING MAY BE MOVED TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER TO AFFORD PLACING OF THE RING ABOUT A TREE BRANCH OR THE LIKE, RELEASABLE LATCH MEANS FOR SAID RING INCLUDING INTEGRAL LOCKING LUG MEANS FORMED ON AND EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY FROM ONE END OF SAID RING AND A MATING RESTRICTED OPENING RECESS FORMED IN THE OTHER END OF SAID RING COOPERATIVELY FORMING SNAP LATCH MEANS CLOSABLE BY CIRCUMFERENTIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID RING ENDS, AND AN INTEGRAL PAIR OF ADJACENT AND SPACED APART PINS FORMED ON AND DEPENDING FROM THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID RING, SAID PINS EXTENDING FROM ONE SIDE THEREOF FOR ENGAGING AN OBJECT ENCIRCLED BY THE RING LEAVING THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID RING SUBSTANTIALLY SMOOTH FOR RECEIVING AND SUPPORTING ANOTHER OBJECT, AND SAID PINS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE RING AND HAVING A LENGTH ON THE ORDER OF ABOUT THE RADIUS OF THE RING. 